Independence Day is never just another
holiday for me. My father, Allu Aravind,
was born in 1947. At that time, my
...
grandfather, the late Allu Ramalingaiah,
who was a freedom fighter and also
popular figure in the Telugu film
industry, was in jail. He was arrested by
the British during the Quit India
Movement.
Every Independence Day, our family
remembers everything he fought for. He
used to tell us stories about how life was
back then and stories about the national
consciousness during the Independence
struggle which drove everyone in the
country to stand united for one cause —
freedom. A lot of who I am today is
because of the values he instilled in me.
Most importantly, I've learnt the value of
self-motivation and the impact that a
single individual can make to the bigger
picture. We are now living in a free and
democratic country only because of all
those people who fought for our freedom. We are leading a better life
today because of them.
As I was growing up, I always thought
about how India has to develop so much
more and I always complained about
how we are so far behind compared to
other developing nations. But after I entered the film industry, I met a person
— lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
— who changed my opinion for good.
He became my biggest inspiration when
he once told me — 'I am my country'.
And that is the most simple yet most
profound statement I have ever heard.
Our country is not just a piece of land
and the tricolours. It is an an attitude...
the attitude of a billion people. Each one
of us individually represent the nation. If we shine, India shines. I am the one
billionth fraction of my country. I am my
country. Many youngsters today may not show their gratitude towards Independence by
remembering the freedom fighters, but
they show their love for India through
different ways — some hoist the flag,others play cricket for the nation.
When it comes to me, I hoist the flag every Independence Day wherever I am. Even last year when I was shooting for my movie, I hoisted one at Ramoji Film City. Tourists who were passing by in a
bus, stopped to get down and salute it. People still remember the importance of
the day.
Yes , sometimes I see that people shy away from wholeheartedly singing the National Anthem with pride, but I say it's important to do it and loudly proclaim your love for your country. It will leave you with a strong sense of pride and love. We all need to say — "I
am my country."
who was a freedom fighter and also
popular figure in the Telugu film
industry, was in jail. He was arrested by
the British during the Quit India
Movement.
Every Independence Day, our family
remembers everything he fought for. He
used to tell us stories about how life was
back then and stories about the national
consciousness during the Independence
struggle which drove everyone in the
country to stand united for one cause —
freedom. A lot of who I am today is
because of the values he instilled in me.
Most importantly, I've learnt the value of
self-motivation and the impact that a
single individual can make to the bigger
picture. We are now living in a free and
democratic country only because of all
those people who fought for our freedom. We are leading a better life
today because of them.
As I was growing up, I always thought
about how India has to develop so much
more and I always complained about
how we are so far behind compared to
other developing nations. But after I entered the film industry, I met a person
— lyricist Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
— who changed my opinion for good.
He became my biggest inspiration when
he once told me — 'I am my country'.
And that is the most simple yet most
profound statement I have ever heard.
Our country is not just a piece of land
and the tricolours. It is an an attitude...
the attitude of a billion people. Each one
of us individually represent the nation. If we shine, India shines. I am the one
billionth fraction of my country. I am my
country. Many youngsters today may not show their gratitude towards Independence by
remembering the freedom fighters, but
they show their love for India through
different ways — some hoist the flag,others play cricket for the nation.
When it comes to me, I hoist the flag every Independence Day wherever I am. Even last year when I was shooting for my movie, I hoisted one at Ramoji Film City. Tourists who were passing by in a
bus, stopped to get down and salute it. People still remember the importance of
the day.
Yes , sometimes I see that people shy away from wholeheartedly singing the National Anthem with pride, but I say it's important to do it and loudly proclaim your love for your country. It will leave you with a strong sense of pride and love. We all need to say — "I
am my country."
Happy Independence Day
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